Chair McCollum Returns from Security Fact Finding Mission to South Korea, Japan

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) traveled to South Korea and Japan this week in her role as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (HAC-D). She released the following statement today:

"As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I traveled this week to South Korea and Japan to review the U.S. security posture in the Indo-Pacific region, visit with U.S. service members, and meet with South Korean and Japanese officials on how our nations can work together to protect our shared democratic values," Chair McCollum said. "In South Korea, I visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Osan Air Base, and the U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys where United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea work together to maintain peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. I was able to have discussions with U.S. service members about their missions, as well as review their facilities, and discuss quality of life issues – high priorities of mine as Defense Appropriations Chair. In Japan, I met with the leadership of U.S. Naval Forces Japan and the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and visited Yokota Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. I also met with members of the Japanese Diet (National Legislature) to discuss how the United States can strengthen bonds with our fellow democracies and engage on mutual U.S.-Japan security interests, including climate change. As we continue to focus on Russia's appalling invasion of Ukraine and European security issues, it is critically important that the United States remains fully engaged with our allies in the Indo-Pacific to ensure stability in the region."

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